Enzo Maresca: How the Italian turned things around at Chelsea

Ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Enzo Maresca was appointed to control the chaos at Chelsea, with the west Londoners experiencing a revolving door of managers in recent years. Things had been volatile at Stamford Bridge, reflecting the unpredictable nature of English football and the average bet on Premier League matches, but things finally look to have changed.

Since their last Premier League triumph in 2017, the Blues have struggled to regain their former dominance, even as they remained a formidable force in cup competitions.

Despite a Champions League win in 2021, Chelsea’s recent history has been defined by inconsistency and near-misses, including last season’s League Cup final defeat to Liverpool, which was the sixth time in a row the Blues have fallen at the final hurdle.

Enter Maresca, who joined to rebuild a squad shaken by underachievement, managerial turnover, and the ownership uncertainties under Todd Boehly.

After guiding Leicester City to the Championship title and working under Pep Guardiola during Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign in 2023, Maresca brought a fresh approach to Chelsea. However, rebuilding a team as inconsistent as Chelsea was never going to be straightforward.

One of Maresca’s first moves was trimming Chelsea’s bloated squad, which had simply overblown to over 40 players under previous regimes.

Big names like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell were shown the exit, with Maresca signalling a desire to build a younger, more dynamic side.

The signings of Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho late in the summer transfer window raised eyebrows but addressed the team’s lack of attacking creativity. Neto, known for his relentless work rate and ability to create chances, has already made an impact. At the same time, Sancho is viewed as a project who could thrive under Maresca’s guidance after reaching last season’s Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.

These transfers were emblematic of Maresca’s philosophy: signing players who fit his tactical system rather than simply relying on star power. By placing faith in emerging talents like Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and, to some extent, Levi Colwill, the Italian has demonstrated a long-term vision. Yet, with such a young and relatively inexperienced squad, the pressure is on to produce results quickly.

But one of Chelsea’s most glaring issues in the last few last seasons has been their defensive fragility, which often left them exposed against stronger opponents.

Under Maresca, there has been a noticeable improvement in this area. The Italian has worked tirelessly on organisation and positioning, ensuring the backline is more compact and disciplined.

While still not on par with the formidable Chelsea defence that helped them win the Premier League under José Mourinho in 2005, Maresca’s team has shown promise. Thiago Silva’s experience was a big loss when the Brazilian moved back to Fluminense, but others have stepped up to the mantle.

There is still a long way to go, but the signs are more positive than under Mauricio Pochettino. Chelsea have conceded fewer goals per game this season compared to this time last term, and the team appears more resolute when defending set-pieces – a consistent weakness in recent years. However, fans will need patience as Maresca fine-tunes the defence to compete at the highest level once again.

Perhaps the most significant change Maresca has introduced is instilling discipline and a winning mentality in a side that had lacked both. Under his predecessors, Chelsea’s performances often fluctuated wildly, and the team struggled in high-pressure situations.

They ran Liverpool close, though, and showed against Arsenal that they had learnt their lessons from a disappointing defeat to Manchester City on the opening day of the season.

This newfound discipline – much needed in an inexperienced dressing room — has translated into moments of resilience on the pitch.

Even in matches where Chelsea have fallen behind, there is now a sense that they can fight back, which was rarely evident last season. Maresca’s focus on building a winning mentality has started to pay dividends, though it will take time for this young squad to mature fully.

For now, the Italian can take pride in his team's progress in a short time. But in a league as competitive as the Premier League, progress alone won’t be enough. Maresca must deliver results sooner rather than later if Chelsea is to re-establish itself as one of England’s top clubs.